Overview
- Andrew Porter has been officially ruled out of Leinster’s United Rugby Championship final after leaving the semi-final with a calf injury.
- Porter was forced off in the first half of the semi-final win over the Stormers and will not be available for selection for Friday’s match at Croke Park.
- Captain Caelan Doris and hooker Dan Sheehan are injury doubts to be assessed before the final, while several other forwards remain long-term absentees.
- Leinster must choose a loosehead from Alex Usanov, Jerry Cahir or Ed Byrne and forwards coach Robin McBryde said the squad will back those players to step up in the set-piece battle.
- Porter’s absence has immediate match consequences for Leinster’s scrum and creates uncertainty over his availability for Ireland’s upcoming July internationals when the national squad is named.